I wasn’t ready to say good-bye

By dinner, I realized we were over. I’d tried reconnecting, asked people- family and strangers- for help. Looked around, thought “what did I do wrong?”

You’d given me three good years and, as of that morning, everything had been fine. We’d been together like always. I gripped you as we walked into Friendly’s for breakfast. You’d opened up to me, helped me, held what I needed from the instant you came into my life.

Sure, I’d been saying for months it was time to part ways. I used terms like “dirty,” “broken” and “outdated.” But, when reality set it, I realized I wasn’t ready. After years of spending nearly every moment together, or at least being no more than a room or two away, I’d suddenly experience permanent separation.

You were a gift to me, and I’d been ever-appreciative.

But, after several hours, a heart-to-heart with my sister over grilled chicken and steak, and a rehash of our final hours together, I gave up hope.

My wallet was gone- for good.

I lost it (or it was taken- that’s still unclear) while golfing during a family reunion at the Portland Golf Course in Portland, Conn.

Not only did I lose cash (a decent amount, since I’d stopped at the ATM before the wedding, and ended up not needing much money while in Florida), my license, credit cards and all those other pieces of plastic that document life, but I lost my favorite accessory.

The wallet, a pink leather Gucci accessory, complete with a bamboo clasp had been a gift from my parents several Christmases ago. I’d spotted it at Off Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet the summer prior, and fallen in love. I’d been looking for a new wallet, and knew that was it. I hoped I’d get it, e-mailed my parents Saks coupons when they appeared in my inbox, and gave (gentle) reminders that this was the gift I most wanted.

Pink, you see, is my favorite color. I don’t wear pink clothing, per se, but just about any accessory I can get in pink, I do. My cell phone is that girlie hue, so are many of my golf accouterments (including the balls), my travel cases, Nalgean bottles, several pair of socks, my robe (OK, so that’s clothing), etc.

As my dad helped me look- obsessively (me, not him) yesterday, he unzipped my suitcase and exclaimed “woh, there’s a lot of pink in there.” Yes, a lot of pink, but no wallet.

I realized the wallet was missing several hours after returning to my dad’s cousin’s house from our 5-hour round. I went to get something out of my bag, and thought the purse felt kind of light (I don’t carry much, so one absent item is obvious). I looked inside, and panicked.

Where was the wallet? Had I left it at the course? I remembered it being in the front dash of the cart.

I called Portland Golf Course, and talked with Ron- who was as nice and compassionate as one could hope after a sinking feeling had squashed an otherwise enjoyable day. He checked with his cart guys, sent his rangers out on the course, offered for me to come back and drive around on my own, if I wanted (I did).

I also talked with the teen who cleans the carts. He hadn’t seen it, he said, not looking me in the eye. (Perhaps it’s just social skills of a youngster, but that’s still bugging me).

My dad and I combed the parking lot, the course, the building. Nothing. We went to the end of the driveway, and paced the lawn, the road, the gardens. I even knocked on the door of the home across the street, hoping the women’s children- who had been riding bikes in the area- may have come across my little gem.

Nothing.

I’ve canceled my cards, went online to replace my driver’s license and borrowed cash from my parents (no ATM card, and the holiday, mean I can’t get to the bank till Tuesday. And, even then, I have no ID).

My friends and family think I’m a dreamer, but I’m hoping someone finds it and the wallet finds its way back to me. Even if the cash is gone, I’d just be happy to have all my documentation back (I feel like I’d lost my full identification) and reunite with my pink pal.

I will be checking e-bay. Lots of people told me their stolen/missing wallet stories over the past few days and a woman who had a Coach wallet stolen years ago, told me how she saw it pop up on on the auction site!

10 Responses

Maybe you’ll get lucky and somehow it will show up in the mail this week at your home. Years ago I had something similar happen. Now I stay prepared for the the first contingency. 1,2 or 3 credit or debit cards only + drivers license,(registration and insurance in the glove box) some photos. All the other cards, and SS card remain hidden in my home. I keep cash in a seperate money clip.

If someone finds it, I think you’ll get it back with the cash. I believe most people enjoy “doing the right thing”

Keep hope alive, Kristi!
A few years back, I was heading to Canada for a vacation.
Got to the border and realized in an instant I lost my wallet somewhere, somehow.
Anyhow, when I got back home — yup, I crossed the border twice without any ID — there was a package in the mail, postmarked Catskill. Some guy saw the wallet sailing off my car’s roof as I merged onto the Thruway. He pulled over and gathered up all the cash and plastic. A true saint!
And yes, that was the last time I placed my wallet on my car’s roof while gassing up.

No fear..this happens all the time…I found a titanium watch while golfing yesterday. I have asked the club to put out a bulletin to claim. And, I can’t tell you how many times I have had favorite items returned to me…club covers that look like my doggie..my favorite putter….
Don’t worry…be happy!

I certainly hope you get it back. Years ago, my friend left her wallet on the subway in New York City. Miraculously, someone returned it, completely intact. There ARE good people out there, and if someone found your pretty wallet, they will send it.

D2, I did not. I still think of it (I haven’t had a wallet I liked as much since) — and all the money that was in there — on occasion. Normally I carry little to no cash, but we had just gotten back from vacation so I had several hundreds of dollars in my wallet leftover from our trip.